Coalition government

Hitler became Chancellor in January 1933 and was

head of a coalition government, meaning he had to work with others.

Hitler persuaded the President to call an

election for March so he could win greater control.

Reichstag fire

One week before the election the Reichstag

burned down.

The fire was blamed on Communists. Hitler said

it was the start of a revolution. Doubts remain about who started the fire.

Reichstag Fire decree

After the fire, Hitler persuaded the German President to sign the

‘Decree for the protection of the people

and the state’.

This gave the government the power to arrest anyone

who opposed them (remained in force until

1945).

Left-wing newspaper announcing its closure

SS and SA become the police

The SA and the SS were the Nazis’ two security

groups, famed for violence.

After the Reichstag fire, Hitler made them an

official auxiliary police force.

March 1933 elections

Hitler wanted to change the German constitution to give him more power. He

needed two-thirds support for the Reichstag

to do so.

In the elections, the Nazis gained 43.9% of the vote.

The Enabling Act

The Enabling Act meant Hitler could pass laws with

the Reichstag's agreement.

On the day of the vote (when he needed 2/3 support), Hitler

had 26 SPD members arrested, meaning the Enabling Act passed.

Political control

After the Enabling Act was passed, Hitler banned the

left-wing SPD. Other political parties then

disbanded.

Hitler passed a law in July 1933 making the Nazis the only legal political party.

Employment controls

Trade unions were banned in Germany. Trade union

leaders were sent to concentration camps.

Anti-Nazis and Jews were forced to resign from their

jobs. Large numbers of teachers and doctors were

Nazi Party members.

Religious controls

The Nazis worried that the Catholic/Protestant divide

could hurt Germany.

They reached an agreement with the Catholic Church to

stay out of politics and reorganised the Protestant

churches.

Legal controls

Anti-Nazi judges were removed from their posts and replaced with Nazi

sympathisers.

Laws were introduced allowing the Nazis even

more control of their opponents.

Night of the Long Knives

Although dominant in Germany and the Nazi

Party, Hitler worried some Nazis were not loyal

enough to him.

On 30 June 1934, leaders of the SA were killed or

arrested by members of the SS.

Arguments for influence

All of these actions proved the phrase ‘Ein Volk, Ein

Reich, Ein Fuhrer’.

Hitler now had a control of all key aspects of

society, and there was no-one to oppose him or his

plans.

Arguments against influence

Even without these new controls, Hitler had the

support of large numbers of Germans

(44% of voters).

Clearly then the Nazis offered policies which

many Germans backed.